Archive for November, 2020
HISTORY IS HER HOBBY
Shirley Beam, Tribune Correspondent
[The Evening Tribune, 23 December 1980]
May Miller, of Niagara River Parkway, celebrated her 95th birthday at an open house in her home, that was attended by over 100 friends and relatives. During the celebration Scott Thwaites, Joyce and Sharon Morellato, attended the guest book and welcomed the guests.
Miss Miller, one of the oldest residents in the area, is in excellent health and has many hobbies that occupy her time each day. She was born, Dec. 10, 1885, on the same land where she has always lived and was originally owned by her great grandfather, Jacob Miller, who bought the property in 1804. The property then consisted of 200 acres and Mr. Miller lived in a log cabin.
In 1810 the Millers bought a new log house on part of the land, where Miss Miller (Zettie May) was born to William and Priscilla Miller, and they lived there until the family built a new house in 1912, where she has resided ever since. Miss Miller had one brother Fermin that died in 1963.
THE EARLY YEARS
Miss Miller’s excellent memory takes one back over the years, as she tells of just a towpath along the river, how her great grandfather travelled to Kitchener and Clarence, N.Y. by horseback to preach. He was one of the first ministers to preach in the Methodist church, built along the parkway in 1824. It was the first church in the area.
Miss Miller received her education at Willoughby number 4 school, then to the collegiate in Niagara Falls where she boarded five days a week at $2 per week. To get to school in Niagara Falls, her father would take her to Chippawa and she would get the trolley to Bender Hill in Niagara Falls and walk up Victoria Avenue that was pasture land to get to her home where she boarded. Miss Miller later took music lessons and oil painting lessens in Niagara Falls, and many of her paintings still decorate her home.
CHARTER MEMBER
She is still a faithful worker with the Willoughby Historical Society, a charter member and one of the founders of the Willoughby Historical museum. She is an honorary president and held office on the Museum Board until she reached her 90th birthday. She is also a charter member of the Willoughby Women’s Institute and a member of the Chippawa Presbyterian Church and the Women’s Missionary Society of the church that she attends regularly.
Time never seems to be a burden to this active lady. She gets up at 8 a.m. daily, does light housework, enjoys looking after her plants and spends considerable time working on things that have historical interest. For many years Miss Miller has been keeping a diary and can recall things that happened years ago.
WELL WISHES
During the celebration Miss Miller received many cards, floral arrangements, some coming as far as England and Germany. Plaques were received from Prime Minister Trudeau, William Davis, Wayne Thompson, mayor of Niagara Falls, Ed Schreyer, governor-general and letters of congratulations from Al McBain and Stan Price.
Pouring from a table covered with a hand crocheted cloth made by Mrs. Albert Thwaites that was centered with a floral arrangement and flanked with white tapers in silver holders, were Dianne Dunkin, Violet Glasgow and Ina Dobbie. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Frank Thwaites and Mrs. Andie Morellato.
When Miss Miller was asked if she would like to live to 100, she smiled and answered, yes, if she would not be a burden to anyone.
*Miss Miller passed 2 May 1984.
[Welland Tribune March 9, 1945]
Salem March 9-Salem United church services on Sunday were conducted by Rev James Hampson. Next week Sunday school will be at two o’clock, church service at three o’clock.
James Henderson’s class of young men and junior boys met at the home of Mr and Mrs C.E Strawm with Rev J. Hampson and Mr Henderson to organize a Trail Ranger group. The new officers are: President Leo Robbson; first vice-president, George Cook; secretary James Farr; treasurer, Leroy Hayward. Mr Hampson will be leader.
George Bailey was moved from the Welland County General hospital to the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Carmen Bailey at Welland before his return to his home at Salem.
Mr and Mrs C.E. Strawn, daughters, June, Shirley, son Kenneth and Mr and Mrs Kenneth Hansler and son clifford of Welland were Sunday guests of of Mr and Mrs Bill Grimwood at their home, “Woodend” Niagara Falls. Mrs Grimwood gave a birthday dinner in honor of her mother.
Mr and Mrs Leslie Swick spent Monday with Mr and Mrs Edwin Swick and son Ronald.
Mr and Mrs E. Swick and son Ronald spent Sunday with Mr and Mrs G.W. Thompson and family.
Mr ad Mrs Cecil Hagar of Cook’s Mills spent Thursday with the latter’s father M.A.Ware.
Mrs Jack Austin and daughter, Mrs Earl Strawn were supper guests of Mr and Mrs Strawn and family.
Mr and Mrs James Ball of Welland were Thursday evening guests of Mr and Mrs C.H. Willford.
Mrs Edwin Swick and son Ronald called on Mrs Harold Gent and sons Wednesday.
Mrs Harold Gent and sons Richard and Allen spent Wednesday last with Mrs Strawn and Mrs Carr.
Audrey Coyne of Welland spent a few days with Mr and Mrs Edwin Swick.
Mr and Mrs Kenneth Hansler and son Clifford of Welland, Mr and Mrs Edwin Swick and son Ronald spent Wednesday evening with the Strawn family.
Mrs Harold Hodgkins and infant daughter have returned home from the Welland County General hospital.
Mrs Edwin Swick was hostess to the C.G.I.T. girls on Saturday evening. It was decided to hold a box social on March 15th at the home of Mr and Mrs C.E Strawn. Lunch was served by the hostess, assisted by Mrs C. Willford and Mrs Strawn.
[Welland Tribune February 28, 1945]
Open Night Held by W.A.
Salem Feb 28-An open meeting of the W.A. and missionary Society was held at the home of Mr and Mrs Asa Chambers with an attendance of around 40. The young people played crokinole and the ladies designed hats from kitchen utensils, vegetables, boxes, etc.
Prizes went to Mrs Walter Misener and Mrs George Metler. It was decided to appoint Rob Henderson, Frank Blanchard and Asa Chambers as a committee to fix the church doors before the next meeting. Mrs Hodgkins was instructed to purchase materials to finish the Red Cross quilts.
Mrs Elva Farr took charge of the missionary society meeting in the absence of Mrs Charles Bailey. It was decided to proceed with work on 10 pairs of mitts, which is the allocation for the society.
Lunch was served by the hostess, assisted by Mrs Hodgkins, Mrs Elva Farr, Mrs Harry Farr, Mrs Cook and Mrs Hayward. Ice cream and birthday cake formed features of the lunch, it being Asa Chamber’s birthday.
Personals
Miss Marie Farr was taken to Welland County General hospital on Wednesday last where she underwent an appendectomy.
Mr and Mrs C.E Strawn and daughter Shirley and son Kenneth attended the I.O.O.F.. “At Home” at Fenwick on Tuesday.
Clarence Willford, Earl Misener and Bob Strawn were in toronto on Saturday and attended the hockey game in the evening.
C.E. Strawn attended the dinner meeting for supervisors and foreman and safety committee members in Welland on Thursday evening.
L/Stk Ellsworth McPherson has returned to his base on the east coast.
Mr and Mrs Asa Chambers spent the weekend with Mrs Chambers parents. Mr and Mrs E, Crow and Mr and Mrs Bill Hippwell and daughter Carol.
Clarence Willford attended the father and son banquet in Welland on Wednesday evening and had Kenneth Strawn as his guest.
[Welland Tribune February 22, 1945]
Salem, Feb 22-O’Reilly’s Bridge W.I. held their February meeting at the home of Mrs Edwin Swick on Wednesday, with 20 members present. Mrs Philips the president was in the chair. Letters were read from boys in the service for boxes received. It was decided to send $5 to the I.O.D.E. as a donation for books for servicemen. Mrs Strawn reported for the visiting committee.
It was decided to send gum to the boys overseas. Two minutes silence was observed for Mrs Reece. Mrs Gent was in charge of the bird contest. The projected pot luck supper was held over till next month. Lunch was served by Mrs Swick and the lunch committee.
Personals
Mr and Mrs Arnold Willford and daughter, Mrs J. Willford, all of Welland were Sunday guests of Mr and Mrs Clarence Willford.
Mr and Mrs Amos Robbins and Mr and Mrs George Metler spent Tuesday in Dunnville
Mrs V.A. Carr, Mrs E Swick and Ronald and Mrs C,E, Strawn spent Friday in Welland.
Misses Jean and Helen Thompson of Welland and Arnold Vittie of Wainfleet spent Tuesday with Mr and Mrs E. Swick and son Ronald.
Cpl Ware of Toronto visited with his father M.A. Ware.
Mr Jake Traver attended the funeral of the late Mrs Burch on Tuesday.
[Welland Tribune February 7, 1945]
Salem Feb 7-Salem United church services on Sunday were conducted by Rev James Hampson. Next week Sunday school will be at two o’clock, church at three o’clock.
Salem C.G.I.T. held a meeting at the home of Misses Venita and Jacqueline Gent on Fri evening. Their guests were members of the boys’ class. After a sleigh ride they returned to the home of Mrs Gent, where refreshments were served.
The January meeting of the W.A. and W.M.S. was held at the home of Mrs C. E. Strawn with the president Mrs Hodgkins in the chair. Mrs Strawn is to be the visiting committee convener for the year. Mrs Cook reported for the Red Cross. The visiting committee reported five calls for the month.
A shower will be held at the March meeting of articles suitable to put in boxes for the boys overseas. Mrs Asa Chambers offered her home for an open meeting on the evening of February 14. Mrs Elva Farr read the scripture lesson. Salem allocation for the coming year is 10 pair of mitts. Refreshments were served by Mrs Harold Bailey, Mrs Ted Hayward and Mrs Strawn.
Mr and Mrs Edwin Swick and Ronald were supper guests on Tuesday evening of Mr and Mrs Harry Farr and family.
Mr and Mrs Clarence Cook of Welland spent Sunday with the former’s parents Mr and Mrs M Cook.
Mrs Edwin Swick and son Ronald spent Friday with Mrs Margaret Coyne at Welland.
Mrs A. Stirtzinger was a recent guest of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs Ted Hayward.
Mrs C.E. Strawn has received word that her nephew, Cpl Jack Montgomery of the U.S. Army, who was wounded in Italy is back in the United States in hospital.
Mr and Mrs Leslie Swick called on Mr and Mrs Edwin Swick, Friday evening.
[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Welland had the unique distinction of having the first woman in Ontario to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Miss May B. Bald born in Welland, attended public school here and received her graduation diploma form Welland High School in 1878.She later attended the University of Toronto where she obtained her BA degree.
Returning to Welland she taught at the high school, and eventually went to New York where she lectured at Columbia University. She travelled extensively for a woman in those days and later taught at a girls’ private college in New York.
From time to time she visited in Welland with a cousin, James C. Bald and family who lived on the original Bald farm. May Bald died in New York City and was buried there around 1937.
[Welland Historical Society, 1984]
At a meeting of the Welland Historical Society, the “Street of the Month” was Bald Street and its history was researched by Dr. Purdon.
It was named after William A. Bald, son of Thomas Bald Jr., who was born in 1827 on the family farm in Thorold Township. William was the grandson of Thomas Bald Sr., a Scotsman who had resided in Welland County for many years before settling on the Thorold Township farm early in the nineteenth century. William died Dec. 1, 1886 at the age of 59.
The following excerpts are from the Welland Tribune obituary: “He was one of the first merchants of Merrickville, now Welland, and with the late John Hellems, formed the firm which built the Welland County Buildings, many respects the finest of their class. Deceased leaves a widow, four sons, Archibald, James, Edward and William and one daughter May who possesses the distinguished honor of being the first lady BA graduate of University College, Toronto…At different times Mr. Bald held important municipal and other positions of trust and at the time of his death was a councillor for the ward in which he resided…Mr. Bald possessed the respect of all for his sterling independence of character and many estimable qualities, and his demise is deeply regretted by the whole community.”
[Welland Tribune, 30 December 1991]
PELHAM (Staff)-Former Welland alderman and show store owner, Brit Phillips, Former Welland alderman and shoe store owner.Brit Phillips died at the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton on Saturday, December 28th. He was in his 77th year.
Phillips was born in Welland lived in the area all his life. He became one of the youngest people ever to serve on city council when he was elected in 1943 at age 28. He retired from council in 1973.
He also served as a member of both the Welland Water Board and the Welland Hydro-Electric Commission.
During the Second World War Phillips served in the infantry of the Canadian Army and was also the Police Auxillary warden for the Civil Defence.
After the Second World War, Phillips entered business in the city when he managed Jamieson’s Shoe Store downtown. In 1953 he started his own shoe store, Brit Phillips Shoes, on West Main Street and later expanded to the Welland Plaza on Fitch Street. He managed both stores until he officially retired in 1985.
Besides being a member of city council, Phillips had a wide range of other community interests. He was a founding member of the Welland Junior Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 4, the Rose City Seniors Club and the Welland Lawn Bowling Association. He also was a member of the Welland Optimist Club for more than 30 years.
At the time of his death, Phillips lived at the Lookout Village apartments in Fonthill.
EXCERPT FROM OBITUARY: Brit was a member of St. David’s Anglican Church, Welland. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Edith Eatwell.
[Welland Tribune November 4, 1941]
Salem, Nov 4-Salem United church service was conducted on Sunday Nov 2 at 11 o’clock. The pastor, Rev James Hampson continued his series of sermons on the Lord’s Prayer, his address being entitled “Thy Kingdom Come.”
Sunday school next Sunday will be at 10 o’clock; church at 7.30
Mrs Amos Robbins and Mervin visited with Mr and Mrs Kenneth Lane at St Catharines on Thursday.
On Nov 16, Educational Sunday, Professor Kent of the University of Toronto will be the speaker at Fenwick Continuation school at 2.30 p.m.
The Salem association will hold their November meeting at Fenwick parsonage on Nov 12, This will be the annual W.M.S. thankoffering, Mrs Leo Michener will be guest speaker.
Miss Margaret Strawn of the Niagara Falls General hospital spent Wednesday with her parents.
Mr and Mrs C. Menel and Mr and Mrs R.L. Vannatter of Crystal Beach were supper guests of the latter’s parents Mr and Mrs L. Vannatter and family.
Mr and Mrs Wm Miller of Welland spent the weekend with Mrs V.A. Carr
Hallowe’en Social
Salem W.A. held their Hallowe’en social at the home of Mr and Mrs Lee Traver and Mr and Mrs Jacob Traver on Thursday evening. The rooms were attractively decorated with orange and black streamers, cats, witches and pumpkins. Rev James Hampson, James Lowe and George Kelts acted as judges for the grand march, and awarded prizes for costumes as follows” Best dressed lady. June Strawn, as Japanese lady; best dressed man, E. Milligan; best comic, Gavin Henderson; best couple Mrs Basil Misener and Mrs Marshall Beamer, as bride and groom; best dressed children, Venita and Jacqueline Gent.
A short program was presented. Mrs Charles Bailey and daughter, Mrs Basil Misener sang,”In an old Dutch garden.” Mrs Marshall Beamer gave a reading and Miss Margaret Tuck offered a piano solo.
Mrs Basil Misener also sang, “Thank You America.” Rev James Hampson led the community singing. Refreshments were served by the ladies.
[Welland Tribune October 24, 1941]
Salem, Oct 24-Church service was conducted at Salem United church on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. Rev James Hampson gave a helpful sermon on “Our Father Which Art in Heaven,” beginning a series on “The Lord’s Prayer.” Next Sunday, Sunday school will be at 10 o’clock and church service will be at 7.30.
The ladies of Salem are invited to attend the meeting of the Sectional Women’s Missionary Society at the Fork’s Road United church,Thursday, October 23.
Guests of Mr and Mrs C.E, Strawn on Sunday were Mr and Mrs R.L. Vanatter of Ridgeway and Mr and Mrs Kenneth Hansler and son Clifford of Welland.
Mr and Mrs Perly Robbins of St Catharines spent Sunday with Mr and Mrs Asa Chambers and Mrs Janet Chambers.
Mr Jack Klingenden of Dunnville spent Monday with Mr and Mrs L.F. Neal and family.
Miss Marion Shupe of Welland visited with Mr and Mrs Victor Cosby on Saturday afternoon.
Mrs Clara Leidy and Gordon Clendenning of Welland and Lois Lane of Burk’s Falls spent Saturday with Mr and Mrs Asa Chambers and Mrs Janet Chambers.
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